When communities take the lead in Uganda: Kalungu District's example in fighting child labour

KALUNGU, Uganda (ILO News) - In a proactive gathering held as a key pre-World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) event, representatives of the Ugandan Government, alongside employers’ and workers' organizations, converged in Kalungu District. This interaction was designed to bridge the gap often seen between capital-level discussions and the realities on the ground, allowing constituents, especially frontline fighters against child labour such as social workers, teachers, cooperatives, and local government officials, to directly engage and bring their insights forward to the main WDACL celebration in the capital on June 12th. Kalungu District effectively showcased the remarkable progress achievable when all stakeholders join forces, an initiative strongly supported by the CLEAR Supply Chains project, which has been instrumental in transforming the local landscape.

Through the project's dedicated efforts, child protection systems have been significantly bolstered. Crucially, parasocial workers in villages and district officials have received comprehensive training, equipping them with the vital skills to identify, report, and effectively remedy instances of child labour. Beyond this, impactful awareness-raising campaigns have resonated throughout communities, and schools have been actively supported in their efforts to reintegrate and retain children in education.

The tangible benefits of these actions are undeniable. Kalungu District, which registered a concerning 375 cases of children in child labour in two of its sub-counties (Lwabenge and Kyamulibwa) between July and November 2024, witnessed a dramatic reduction to just 74 new cases identified between December 2024 and May 2025. This remarkable decline is a testament to the effectiveness of the implemented strategies. Furthermore, through the dedicated work of the Child Wellbeing Committees at both sub-county and district levels, 105 children have been successfully reintegrated into school, and 93 have been referred for vital technical and vocational training, offering them pathways to a brighter future.

Kalungu District serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of collaborative action in combating child labour. In the coming months, the CLEAR Supply Chains project will continue to build on this momentum, supporting the ongoing identification and monitoring of child labour, intensifying prevention and remediation efforts, and strengthening partnerships with the private coffee sector to comprehensively address child labour within Uganda’s coffee supply chain.

We need a future workforce, not children that break their backs.

Dr. Paddy Kayondo, Resident District Commissioner of Kalungu District

Kalungu’s progress, highlighted during the WDACL celebrations, is a powerful reminder that when systems are strengthened and communities are empowered, child labour is not inevitable—it is preventable.